"A poetic exploration of high-level athletes, who grapple with the strong need to continue playing their sport while suffering from a highly dangerous brain injury."
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Athletes train and dedicate their whole lives to their sport. It defines and shapes who they are. But everything they’ve put their blood, sweat and tears into can be stripped away in a single moment. Concussion dives into an athlete’s need to continue playing after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. It follows the decline of an athlete’s cognitive function and physical ability as their symptoms begin to worsen while they are playing. The decline leads to a moment when the brain and body are at a disconnect, and the athlete sustains a secondary head injury. The documentary is made to bring awareness about the risk of second impact syndrome while playing with a concussion, and to make symptoms more well known and identifiable.
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A slate for our film leaning against Keren Liwanag's leg.
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Arisha Gowan - Producer"I suffered a concussion almost ten years ago, and when Cali pitched her idea, something immediately clicked for me. I knew I wanted to be part of telling this story with her. The mentality athletes have, the sense of duty they feel even when injured, and their constant drive to show up for their team has always deeply inspired me. As a former dancer and volleyball player, my own athletic journey was cut short by chronic pain and injuries, so being able to help tell this story feels especially meaningful to me."
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Cali Jayne - Director"I wanted to create this film to share about an issue that affects many athletes, myself included. The decision to continue playing when you know you may be at risk of a concussion is serious, and yet, I still play. In other light, I wanted to create an experimental documentary to challenger myself and push myself out of my comfort zone with something I've never done before."
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Emily Clamp - Writer"I have had a lot of people in my life deal with severe concussions, so informing people on how serious of an injury they are is very important to me."
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Nawal El Naghi - Assistant Camera"I thought that taking on a documentary focused on sports and health in a poetic/experimental lens sounded like a really creative and new idea. The topic of concussions in athletes is something that interests me as I don't know much about it and I wanted to learn more insight into the mindset of athletes in this position."
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Ashley Bazalar-Arroyo - Director of Photography"I joined this production because I was really captivated by Cali’s passion and dedication to sharing and creating a film that means so much to her. The story resonates not only with her but with many athletes, as it brings much-needed awareness to an issue that many athletes can relate to or may experience."
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Arisha Gowan, Cali Jayne, Ashley Bazalar-Arroyo, Keren Liwanag.
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Ashley Bazalar-Arroyo, Arisha Gowan, Nawal El Naghi
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Matthew Nolan - Gaffer"As an avid football fan, I thought the ideas surrounding concussion were very important, especially since Sheridan has its own flag football team. When I heard that Cali was going to create an experimental documentary surrounding this idea, I was sure I wanted to be involved in some way. I’m so thankful to be apart of this crew and excited for you all to see the documentary!"
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Andrew Wilkes - Key Grip and Electric"I’m passionate about concussions"
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Konrad Jozwiak - Assistant Editor"I wanted to join this film to get better with editing"
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Veronica Thurston - Picture Editor"I had a hand in helping Cali in the developing stage of the idea. I saw her passion about the topic and was inspired to help the vision come to life. I have worked with her in the past and love her work ethic and drive"
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Emily Clamp, Keren Liwanag
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Ashley Bazalar-Arroyo, Cali Jayne, Emily Chau, Thomas Peters
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Fox Turcotte - Colourist"I wanted to join because making movies is awesome!"
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Kinjal Koli - Visual Effects"I really like the film's message, and wanted to contribute to it."
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Thomas Heywood - Post Sound Editor"I joined the film because the subject of concussions in sports is a fascinating one to me, and I think this project offered a lot of interesting opportunities for sound design."
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Emily Chau - Location Sound Recordist"After hearing about this pitch from Cali, I was instantly intrigued. The idea of creating an experimental film about concussions felt fascinating and personal. Back in high school, I played flag football and once had a head-on collision that left me with a minor concussion. That experience showed me firsthand the fear and uncertainty that come with head injuries. Ever since, I’ve become more aware of the trauma, pain, and long-term impact athletes can go through. I am excited to be a part of the sound team and bring this project to life sonically! "
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Shona Buschlen - Composer"I’ve had a concussion before, and while it wasn’t fun, I was really excited by the idea of creating a score for this doc that mirrors that experience."
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Claire Gamble - Behind the Scenes"I’m thrilled to capture the behind-the-scenes moments of this documentary. When Cali told me about the premise, it reminded me of my three older brothers, all varsity athletes who’ve faced concussion injuries. I’ve always wondered what drives players to return after something so serious, and this project feels like a meaningful way to explore that. I’m also inspired by Cali’s experimental approach and feel honoured to document the creative process and hardworking crew bringing it to life."
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Juniper Hertel - Transmedia Producer"I wanted to join this project because I have a lot of love for football, but with how common head injuries are, especially at lower levels of play, I think it's important to spread the word so that people know how to keep themselves safe and not push too far, so that they can keep playing."
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Joanna Cashin - Transmedia Assistant"Cali has such an incredible creative mind and I wanted to be apart of helping bring her vision to life. The experimental aspect is super cool for a topic like this!"
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